Netherlands to Supply Ukraine with Three Patriot Launchers and €60 Million for Drones
The Dutch government has decided to provide Ukraine with three Patriot air defence system launchers and a radar. Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced this following the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin.
“The Netherlands is providing a new aid package worth €138 million for the repair of critical energy infrastructure, humanitarian aid, and business recovery initiatives. But reconstruction makes no sense without strong armed forces. Therefore, we will continue to provide military support. We are negotiating with international partners to supply Ukraine with the Patriot system. For this, the Netherlands has provided a radar and three launchers,” said the Dutch Prime Minister.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence also announced that it would allocate €60 million for the Ukrainian Defence Forces to purchase offensive drones. This sum includes maritime drones and FPV drones, which have proven particularly effective in this war.
“Drones play a significant role in the war between Russia and Ukraine. They are an effective complement to other, more traditional weapon systems,” noted the Dutch Ministry of Defence.
The Ministry also highlighted the effectiveness of maritime drones that Ukraine is using against the occupiers’ naval targets.
“Unmanned surface vehicles are operating successfully in the Black Sea. Ukraine can produce this type of drone domestically, so the Netherlands also encourages local business with this financial contribution. These high-tech innovations are also important for the Netherlands — for mutual industrial cooperation and as lessons for our own armed forces,” stated Dutch Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren.
It is worth noting that according to The Gaze, the Netherlands, along with Germany, Denmark, and Norway, will also supply Ukraine with a batch of missiles for the Patriot air defence systems.